Discover Balice: Palace, Park and Valley
Accommodation in Balice
Balice offers several ways to explore its local history and landscape: the Radziwiłł Palace and its landscape park, historic buildings nearby, and a village centre located mainly in the valley of the Borowy Potok (Baliczanka). If you are planning a trip here, you can choose between architectural history, the valley landscape and a cycling route project. These themes also provide a practical framework for finding a holiday apartment: what matters is which aspect of the village’s character you want to shape your trip.
The Palace and Its Architectural History
The Radziwiłł Palace was built by the Szembek family around the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, on the site of an older villa belonging to the Boner family. It acquired its present form through extensive remodelling between 1887 and 1894. An early building phase and its later transformation are therefore among the defining historical milestones in the building’s history.
Architecturally, the palace is modelled on Baroque residences. The square main building has two projecting side wings. A gallery connects an east wing to the main building; the hotel section is located in this east wing. The layout makes the different parts of the building easy to distinguish and gives its architectural history a tangible spatial form.
Landscape Park and Historic Buildings
A landscape park of about four hectares surrounds the palace. It was laid out towards the end of the 19th century, adding a distinct historical dimension to the architectural ensemble. Farm buildings, granaries, a former cowshed and other buildings have been preserved in the area around the park. Most date from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries; two historic entrance gates are also among the surviving features.
The palace is not the only historic building in Balice: several houses dating from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries have also been preserved in the village. Those interested in architectural history can therefore explore more than one period of construction to understand Balice’s built heritage.
Valley Landscape and Watercourses
The built-up centre of Balice lies mainly in the valley of the Borowy Potok (Baliczanka). This valley is cut into the tectonic margin of the Garb Tenczyński. The village’s setting can therefore be described not only through its historic buildings but also through its topographical surroundings.
A narrow stream flowing through Balickie Doły is a tributary of the Borowy Potok (Baliczanka). Together, the valley and the watercourse add a landscape dimension to descriptions of Balice that is distinct from its architectural history.
Cycling Plans and Choosing a Destination
A cycling route project is also worth considering when planning a trip: an approximately 3.3-kilometre section of the VeloRudawa is planned between Zabierzów and Balice. The planned route is to pass through the villages of Zabierzów, Szczyglice and Balice in the municipality of Zabierzów. If you would like to include this project in your cycling plans, check its status before travelling.
When travelling together, you can compare the interests of your fellow travellers: the palace and houses represent architectural history, the valley and stream the landscape, and the VeloRudawa a planned cycling route. This way, you can focus your search for a holiday apartment in Balice on the themes you actually want to include in your trip.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Rybna, Ojców, Liszki, Sułoszowa, Brzyczyna, Bolechowice, Mogilany, Wlosan.
For the main travel overview: Krakow.
